Doll

ABSTRACT

A doll comprised of a body formed of a flexible material such as cloth and filled with a solid particulate filler. The body has an opening at the top thereof between the arms with a separate head inserted therein, the head having a solid extension emanating downwardly therefrom into the caVity of the body within the filler material. The dimensions of the doll are such so that it has a low center of gravity, enabling the doll to be readily self-standing on its own feet.

United States Patent Goldfarb et al. 1 July 25, 1972 s41 DOLL 2,997,810 8/1961 13811115 ..46/l58 2,424,785 7/1947 Winterfeld "46/151 [72] lnventors: Adolph E. Goldlarb, Tarzana; Judith D. Strider; George C. Strader, both of San Dimas, all of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif.

22 Filed: Jan. 18,1971 21 Appl.No.: 107,016

[52] U.S.Cl ..46/l5l [51] Int. Cl. ..A63h 3/00 [58] Field ofSearch........ ....46/l5l, 161,162, 160, 156, 46/157,158, 159,115, 118, 164

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,269,363 6/1918 Averill ..46/160 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner.lack Q. Lever, Jr. Attorney-Robert M. Ashen 57] ABSTRACT A doll comprised of a body formed of a flexible material such as cloth and filled with a solid particulate filler. The body has an opening at the top thereof between the arms with a separate head inserted therein, the head having a solid extension emanating downwardly therefrom into the caVity of the body within the filler material. The dimensions of the doll are such so that it has a low center of gravity, enabling the doll to be readily self-standing on its own feet.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Eigures Patented July 25, 1972 3,678,616

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 35 f9 6' & SI

35 INVENTORS I ADQPH E. MAR! 33 JUDITH o. STRAOER 33 GEORGE c. sTnAoen BY 34 34 ROBERT M. ASHEN ATTORNEY Patented July 25, 1972 2 Sheets-Shut 2 5| 4a 57 so 49 1 4| 55 I5 Ll Y 39 1,; 59 1". FIG. 3

I r 57 v l3 3 5| i r): 63 'J FIG. 2 I9 FIG. 4

3 lNVENTURS ADOLPH E. GOLDRRB JUDITH D. STRADER GEORGE C. STRADER 34 BY 33 ROBERT M. ASHEN ATTORNEY DOLL Dolls and other objects of a flexible material containing a separate filler are very old and well known. Some early forms of dolls were made of cloth, filled with granular material such as beans, corn, and the like. These are often referred to as stuffed dolls or toys. Other stuffings included cotton, wood and additional soft non-flowable material. The previous dolls having such non-flowable fillers were not readily self-standing. There is not sufficient weight in the lower portion of the doll to achieve the support for the body. Previously, the dolls in the shape of babies or human figures had normally shaped bodies. In other words, the doll had relatively long legs and body dimensions such that the center of gravity of the doll was located in the middle thereof or above. This prevented the doll from readily assuming a standing position since the balance becomes extremely critical as the center of gravity is moved upward.

It should be pointed out that previously, dolls in the shape of babies or human figures were generally filled with the aforementioned soft fillers rather than solid hard particulate granules. The reason for this was to make the doll feel soft to the touch. Such dolls, as indicated, were not capable of assum ing a self-standing position. When solid particulate fillers were used, the dolls usually assumed animal configurations. Once again, these dolls were not readily self-standing, since the center of gravity was too close to the center and the configuration of the doll did not provide sufficient support in the legs.

A further point to be noted in the prior art is that where solid particulate fillers were utilized, generally the head portion was integrally formed with the doll body and was also filled with the particles. A significant problem results in attempting to utilize a separate molded hollow head and affix that head to a particle filled flexible body such that the head remains generally erect, yet can be permitted to bend at the neck to assume different positions.

Thus an object of this invention is to provide a doll of flexible material having a solid particulate filling therein such that it is self-standing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a doll having a flexible body with solid particulate filler and a separate molded head affixed to the body that can be maintained in selected upright positions.

The above objects of this invention are accomplished by a doll having a body comprised of an enclosed outer casing of flexible material formed with contiguous arms and legs. The doll body has an opening at the top thereof to which a separate molded head can be affixed. The body is filled with solid particulate fiowablc material which allows the body to assume various positions. The doll body is constructed to have relatively short legs and an enlarged torso toward the bottom portion thereof to provide a low center of gravity below the center of the doll. This permits the doll to be readily selfstanding. Extending downwardly from the neck portion of the separate head into the body cavity and into the particulate material, is a flat paddle-like member which provides resistance to relative movement between the member and the solid particulate filler. Thus, the member cooperates with the filler to maintain the head in selectively controlled positions. Preferably, the downwardly extending member is in the form of two intersecting flat surfaces normal to each other in a form of a cross. This serves to stabilize the head against both forward and backward as well as sideways movement.

It is believed the invention will be further understood from the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned front view of the doll of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned side view of the doll of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial view of an alternate embodiment of a sta bilizer and neck portion of a doll of this invention.

Turning now to the figures, there is seen the doll 11 of this invention. The doll is comprised of a body 13 of a flexible material such as cloth or the like which defines an inner cavity 15. The body 13 of this embodiment is in the shape of a human body having legs 17 and 19, and arms 21 and 23 respectively, formed thereon extending from a torso portion 25. The body 13 is entirely enclosed except for openings at the outer ends of the arms 21 and 23 and at the top 27 thereof in the neck region of the doll. In this embodiment, separate hands 29 of molded plastic or the like are inserted in the open ends of the arms and can be tied or appropriately affixed or sealed thereto. Obviously the hands, if desired, can be integrally formed with the flexible body material. However, by molding separate hands, a more life-like appearance is achieved.

Unlike the hands, the feet 31 of the doll are pad-like and can have, for example, a flexible plastic protective layer 33 on the bottom surface 34 thereof. The bottom surface 34 is relatively large, desirably having dimensions essentially as large as or larger than the cross section of the legs 17 and 19. As can be seen, mainly for appearance purposes, the legs 17 and 19 can be restricted slightly by woven thread or the like at an ankle area 35. This serves to give the appearance of more distinct feet on the doll. Below the ankle area 35, the feet 31 are preferably large in cross sectional dimension as compared to the legs 17 and 19. The large feet 31 with large bottom surfaces 34 provide a broad and stable base for the doll. To further aid in stabilizing the doll so that it can readily stand, the legs 17 and 19 are relatively short as compared to the torso portion 25. Thus, it is preferred in this type of doll that the length of the legs from the crotch 37 to the bottom surface 34 of the feet is substantially less than the length of the torso from the neck 27 to the crotch. This is significantly opposite from the construction of most other doll-like bodies wherein the length of the legs is at least equal to or greater than the length of the torso portion. By having relatively short legs the doll has increased stability sincevthis aids in lowering the center of gravity as will be further explained.

The cavity 15 of the doll defined by the flexible material, is filled with a solid particulate filler 39. It is preferred that the filler material be readily flowable so that when the doll is placed in a desired position the particles will settle within the doll to close to their maximum density without additional shaking or vibration of the doll. It has been found that pellets of polymeric materials in spherical shapes or the like are particularly suitable for achieving this purpose. Thus, when the illustrated doll, filled with readily flowing filler material 39 is stood upright on its own two feet 31, the particles will settle downwardly of their own accord within the body. This tends to shift the center of gravity downwardly to reduce the tendency of the doll to tip or fall over. For example, it has been found that particles of polyethylene provide a suitable filler material. Various other polymeric materials can be utilized including mixtures thereof. For example, where it is preferred to provide a relatively lightweight structure yet achieve the desired end results, the doll can be filled with a mixture of expanded styrene beads and plain styrene pellets. It is of course most desirous to select a filler material that is relatively inert and will not be harmful to the child if it becomes exposed or emitted from the doll body. Other fillers which are non-injurious to children can be utilized rather than the polymeric types, including, for example, beans and similar grain particles. In order to allow flexibility and movement of the doll limbs, the cavity 15 is filled to about to percent of its volume with the tiller material. This, of course, does not account for void spaces between the particles but rather is in terms of leaving a vacant area 41 at the top of the doll cavity when all of the filler has settled downwardly. This permits ready flexibility of the limbs of the doll.

The general conformation of the doll body, in addition to having relatively short legs as previously mentioned, includes a pronounced enlarged rear protrusion 42 in the rump area of the doll. Thus, the shape of the torso 25 is such that it generally enlarges toward the rump area 42, as can be seen in FIG. 2. This provides a large weight distribution below the center of the doll and lowers the center of gravity thereof, since most of the filler material is located below the center of the doll 43 as determined along its longitudinal length from the top of the head to the bottom thereof.

The doll of the invention is provided with a molded head 45 preferably of vinyl or a similar relatively soft material so it can be squeezed. However, this is not a mandatory requirement and the head could be of a hard plastic. The head 45 is provided with an opening 47 at the neck 48 thereof. Inserted through this opening 47 is a stabilizing means in the form of a stabilizer 49 which has a cylindrical portion 51 that conforms to the inner diameter of the opening.

The stabilizer 49 has a flat top portion 53 as seen in FIG. 3. integrally formed tabular portions 55 of the top portion 53 extend beyond the diameter of the opening 47, thus preventing the head from being readily pulled off of the stabilizer 49 after it is inserted therein. The top flat portion 53 is inserted through the neck of the doll by tilting the stabilizing means so that one tabular portion 55 is first placed through the neck opening 47 and then the other portion. Alternatively, where the neck is of a relatively deformable material, the top portion 53 can be snapped into place by merely forcing it through the neck opening 47.

Below the cylindrical portion 51 located in the neck of the doll, the stabilizer 49 has a reduced diameter portion 57 providing a collar on which the material of the doll can be tied by a string 59 or the like. This serves to tightly secure the stabilizer 49 to the body. The stabilizer 49 is flared outwardly from the collar 57 at 60 and has a cylindrical section 61 extending downwardly therefrom. Section 61 is particularly desirable in that it presents a portion that can be grasped when the doll is lifted or carried by holding it just below the neck area as is commonly done. Without section 61 the material 21 would be merely pinched together without providing a good grasp of the doll. Below the cylindrical section 61 and extending downwardly therefrom into the cavity of the doll is the main stabilizing section 63 which is formed of four flat elongated blades 65 at right angles to each other forming a crosslike member. The section 63 thus, in effect, represent two flat surfaces intersecting each other at right angles. The entire stabilizer 49 is preferably formed of a single piece of molded plastic or the like, with the blades 65 integrally formed as parts thereof. The blades 65 present relatively broad surfaces which provide resistance to the relative movement between the blades and the particles. The stabilizer is thus held in place by the cooperative relationship between filler particles 39 and the blades which serves to restrict movement of the head. The head may be placed in selected positions by the child and it will maintain itself in each such selectively controlled position until the child desires to change that position. A flat transverse surface 67 located at the bottom of the cylindrical section 61 and above the blades 65 provides a relatively large area in contact with the particulate filler within the body. This serves to support the elevation of the head and prevent the head 45 from unduly sinking down into the body. The head normally will move slightly downwardly to a degree that the fabric of the flexible covering will partially surround the neck of the doll at 69 so that the stabilizer 49 is not seen.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate construction of a doll wherein the dolls head has an elongated generally cylindrical neck portion 71. The torso 73 is tied or otherwise secured to the neck portion at a point 75 spaced above its lower end 77 so that the lower end extends down into the body cavity. A stabilizer 79 which can be, for example, a flat plate, is secured within a plug means 81 adjacent the top 83 of the neck. The plug means can be molded plastic or can be a stuffing of cotton or similar material including foamed plastic. The bottom surface 85 of the plug means 81, together with the bottom 77 of the neck 71, presents an effective surface normal to the stabilizer element 79. Further, the bottom surface 85 of the plug means prevents particulate matter from entering the preferably hollow head of the doll. Further, the elongated portion 86 of the neck extending from point 75 into the cavity serves as a bulk means which can be grasped by a child when lifting or carrying the doll while serving to protect the stabilizer element 79 from being bent or crushed. Additionally, this elongated portion 86 further serves as additional stabilizing means for the head of the doll.

We claim:

1. A doll comprising:

a hollow body formed of a flexible material,

a solid particulate filler disposed within said body, said particulate filler occupying less than the total volume of said hollow body,

a head affixed to said body, and means affixed to said head and extending downwardly from a neck portion of said head into said particulate filler for stabilizing said head relative to said body in various selected positions to which the head may be moved relative to the body.

2. The doll of claim 1 wherein:

said body has a torso and legs depending from said torso the length of said torso of said body from the top to bottom thereof is greater than the length of said legs.

3. The doll of claim 2 wherein:

said torso has a front side and a rear side with a protruding portion extending from the rear side adjacent the bottom of said torso to provide an enlarged cross section through said torso at this portion.

4. The doll of claim 1 wherein:

said means for stabilizing said head comprises at least one elongated member having a broad surface.

5. The doll of claim 4 wherein:

said means for stabilizing said head further comprises surface means substantially normal to said elongated member, said elongated member extending downwardly from said surface means.

6. The doll of claim 5 wherein said means for stabilizing has a body portion extending below the area where said body is connected to said head of said doll.

7. The doll of claim 1 wherein said means for stabilizing comprises a separate element inserted in a neck portion of said head. 

1. A doll comprising: a hollow body formed of a flexible material, a solid particulate filler disposed within said body, said particulate filler occupying less than the total volume of said hollow body, a head affixed to said body, and means affixed to said head and extending downwardly from a neck portion of said head into said particulate filler for stabilizing said head relative to said body in various selected positions to which the head may be moved relative to the body.
 2. The doll of claim 1 wherein: said body has a torso and legs depending from said torso the length of said torso of said body from the top to bottom thereof is greater than the length of said legs.
 3. The doll of claim 2 wherein: said torso has a front side and a rear side with a protruding portion extending from the rear side adjacent the bottom of said torso to provide an enlarged cross section through said torso at this portion.
 4. The doll of claim 1 wherein: said means for stabilizing said head comprises at least one elongated member having a broad surface.
 5. The doll of claim 4 wherein: said means for stabilizing said head further comprises surface means substantially normal to said elongated member, said elongated member extending downwardly from said surface means.
 6. The doll of claim 5 wherein said means for stabilizing has a body portion extending below the area where said body is connected to said head of said doll.
 7. The doll of claim 1 wherein said means for stabilizing comprises a separate element inserted in a neck porTion of said head. 